Eccentric British-francophile theatre director.

S5E2 - At the Village Voice, Terrence reminds Abe about his imminent get-to-know-you lunch with Penelope, and lets him know what to expect. He expresses regret that he cannot come along, due to his current cold. When Terrence's sneezes begin to interfere with his explanations, Gabe takes over and guides Abe the rest of the way out the door.

S5E2 - Abe dines with Penelope at a French restaurant, and the two have clearly been hitting it off. As the waiter brings a free île flottante, Penelope asks for the check and explains that she regretfully must leave, but that the next time they meet, she'll be sure to schedule extra time to linger. She then places her hand on his leg in a sexual manner, which unnerves him and causes him to go on awkwardly about his wallet. As he does, the waiter returns and inquires about the quality of the dessert, and he snaps at him, thinking that he's inquiring about the quality of the sexual gesture.

S5E2 - Arriving back at the Village Voice, Abe pulls Gabe aside and performs the contact that Penelope did with him on Gabe, inquiring whether he's right in thinking that it's sexual. Gabe confirms that it very much is, and Abe explains the situation, expressing his immense discomfort at what happened and his worry that Rose will figure it out somehow. Gabe is surprised, because Penelope has never made a pass at him. He promises never to put Abe in such a situation again.

S5E2 - Later that night, Abe takes Rose out to the restaurant where he dined with Penelope, and performs the sexualized gesture that she performed on him on Rose.

PENELOPE: I was in London during the Blitz. I saw the German Luftwaffe flying through the air. My grandmother's house in Mayfair was bombed.
– S5E2

PENELOPE: I sat in the front row, and, I don't know, my faith in mankind was restored. I knew that we could beat Hitler.
ABE: That's wonderful.
PENELOPE: Then I slept with Larry.
ABE: That's better than sleeping with Hitler.
PENELOPE: I know it sounds silly, but that helped restore my faith, too.
– S5E2

PENELOPE: (laughs) If I had known I'd be dining with such a charming man, I'd have scheduled time to linger. Next time I won't make that mistake.
– S5E2

PENELOPE: You are silly.
ABE: At times, yes, but at other times I'm more… dramatic, like Olivier, or not Olivier, I'm nothing like Olivier. I'm more like… Buster Keaton, just a big, old, sad, floppy clown boy.
PENELOPE: Sweet. Till next time.
– S5E2

2. It's a Man, Man, Man, Man World

• List of Characters